All set for Wimbledon

Hewitt was unstoppable last year

Lleyton Hewitt faces a tall order when he starts the defence of his Wimbledon crown against 6ft 10in Ivo Karlovic.

The pair will open proceedings on Centre Court on Monday, although in truth Hewitt should make short shrift of the tallest player on the men's tour.

But despite tournament wins this season at Scottsdale and Indian Wells, Hewitt's recent form at Roland Garros and Queen's has raised doubts as to whether he will be able to retain his Wimbledon title.

However, that could also be said of most of his main rivals.

Pete Sampras, Richard Krajicek and Goran Ivanisevic, the big-serving old guard, have not even made the starting blocks.

Full men's preview

Tim Henman, who will play his first match on Tuesday, has only just got over a shoulder injury, while Andre Agassi was surprisingly beaten by Andy Roddick at Queen's.

Roger Federer clearly has the game to win Wimbledon, and recent form suggests the Swiss star should be the man to beat, but his Grand Slam record casts doubt on his big match temperament.

MONDAY ON CENTRE COURT (from 1300 BST)

(1) L Hewitt (Aus) v I Karlovic (Cro)

R Neffa-De Los Rios (Par) v (2) K Clijsters (Bel)

J van Lottum (Ned) v (17) G Kuerten (Bra)

Full order of play

So could Roddick blast his way to Wimbledon victory like he did at Queen's a couple of weeks ago?

The great American hope is in action on Monday against Davide Sanguinetti, but much will depend on a likely second-round clash with Greg Rusedski.

Rusedski has surprised many with his quick return to form after injury and warmed up for Wimbledon with a win at Nottingham.

Roddick got the better of Rusedski at Queen's but the Briton will take heart from a victory at Wimbledon last year.

Rusedski is also in action on Monday against Alexander Waske, while Lee Childs, Arvind Parmar and Alan Mackin will be hoping that the home crowds can inspire them to opening day success.

If the men's singles appears relatively open, the women's seems certain to be carved up by the usual suspects.

At least Justine Henin-Hardenne's French Open victory has proved that world number one Serena Williams is beatable.

Full women's preview

But Serena is sure to be smarting from her defeat in Paris and her power game and serve will make her a strong favourite on the Wimbledon grass.

Whether big sister Venus is playing well enough right now to reprise last year's all-Williams final is questionable.

MONDAY ON NO.1 COURT (from 1300 BST)

D Sanguinetti (Ita) v (5) A Roddick (US)

(5) L Davenport (US) v S Stosur (Aus)

A Waske (Ger) v G Rusedski (GB)

Full order of play

Four straight defeats in Grand Slam finals by Serena have clearly taken their toll on Venus' confidence, and she looked a shadow of her former self during her brief stay at the French Open.

With Amelie Mauresmo absent, and the American duo Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati in decline, Serena's main challenge is sure to come from the Belgian axis of Kim Clijsters and Henin-Hardenne.

The French Open champion is a genuine threat, and is not expected to be hampered by the hand injury that forced her out of Saturday's Ordina Open final against Clijsters.

Serena will begin her campaign as tradition dictates on Centre Court on Tuesday, meaning world number two Clijsters and Venus will be the main attractions on Monday.

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